Yielding rotary driving mechanism



June' 7, 1927.

F. R. slMMs YIEL-DING ROTARY DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Julyv 2e. 1924 v Figl.

/CHARO 5 /MM5 I fing/ Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED .STATES A'rsN'r oFFlcE..

YIELDING ROTARY DRIVING MECHA'NISM.

Application led July 29,

or the like and Spa shaft, or in any similar.

situation.

According to the invention, the driving torque is transmitted through a pneumatic cushioning device by subjecting the latter to a force which produces sheer stress in the material of the cushioning device.

The cushioning deviceused in my inveiition consists of an annulus of tubular cross section somewhat similar to a pneumatic automobile tire. In 'the present invention lugs' formed integrally with the tube are used for attachment to the driving and driven members, as distinguished from my prior U. S. Patent No. 610,002, dated August 30, 1898. These lugs are secured to the driving or driven members of the coupling or both.

In the drawings I have shown three modifications of the invention as applied to the Cardan shaft of a motor vehicle.

Figure 1 shows a modification of my invention in which axially extending cylindrical lugs are Iprovided upon the sides of a split casing, the split being located through the center of one of the lugs.

Fi ure 2 shows a coupling having a beading similar to the usual type of tire and having a radially extending lug for coupling to the driving or `driven member, and' Figure 3 shows a coupling in accordance with` my invention having oppositely disposed axially extending cylindrical lugs formed upon vthe sides of the pneumatic coupling.

In Figure 1 of the drawing extending cylindrical lugs 3b are of dovetail cross section and are clamped by means of plates 24 to the driving and driven members without passing the clamping bolts through the lugs. It will be noticed in connection with this modification'that since the split or opening in the outer casingfis provided through one of. these lugs that no additional securing means is required to hold the easing intact. v

In Figure 2 of the drawing the cushionirrl device 3 is shown having a radially exten and Cardan shaft v 1924, Serial No. 728,990, and in Great Britain August I10,- 1923.

ing lug 3, which is adaptedto be engaged by a flange formed upon the member 18 car. iied by the driving member. The inner periphery of the cushioning device 3 in this modification is provided with a split opening having the edges of said opening beaded in a manner similar to the standard practice in tire construction, and the driven member` is provided with a rim having clincher, sides which engage these headings, as is customary with tires built in this manner. tube is provided within the cushioning device 3 and suitable valve means is also provided for the purposeof infiating the inner tube. The driving member is provided with a projectingv member having a ball 23 which rides within a socket formed in the driven member, the ball 23 in this'case serving to .In Figure '3 the cushioning device 3 is huilt in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 2, except that instead of a single radially extending lug,`a plurality of axially extending cylindrical lugs 3b are provided on its sides. One of these lugs engagesl a flange 19 formed upon the driving. member and the other'engages a flange 20 formed upon the driven member and plates 21 are provided for the purpose of clamping the lugs 3b to the flanges 19 and 20. Holes are provided through the ianges 19 and 20 and bolts are passed through these holes, the lug 3b and the plates 21 for the purpose of securing the parts together.

In this modification of my invention I An inner',

also provide a dummy rim 22 having clinchcr edges for the purpose of engaging the beading of the tire and maintainingy the same intact when inflated. This rim isprovided with an opening throughwhich suitable y means may be inserted for infiating the inner the axially lof' member, and a pneumatic cushioning means interposed between and positively secured to said members and placed in sheer stress when transmitting a driving torque vfrom one member to the other, said cushioning means comprising a unitary outer flexible casing and aninflatable inner tube.

2. Yielding rotary driving mechanism comprising a driving member, a driven member, and a unitary annular cushioning device through which driving torque is transmitted in a circumferential direction having oppositely projecting lugs Which are secured to the driving and driven members.

3. A resilient shaft coupling having an annular cushioning device of tubular cross section interposed between the driving and driven members, in which the cushioning device is provided With circumferential lugs formed integrally therewith and secured to the driving and driven members. n

4. A resilient shaft coupling having an annular cushioning meaiis of tubular cross section interposed between the driving and a driven member, axially extending cylindri- Acal lugs integrally formed upon said annular beading formed upon the inner periphery of y said cushioning means adapted to support a dummy rim when said pneumatic cushioning means is inflated.

6. A flexible coupling ,for axially aligned driving and driven shafts, comprising a unitary annular flexible casing, means provided upon said casing and adapted to be secured to and transmit power from said driving member to said driven member, and an inflatable inner tube Within said casing adapted to maintain the same in working relation with saiddriving and driven shafts.

ln witness whereof, I have` hereunto set' my hand this second day of May, 1924.

FREDERICK RICHARD siMMs.I` 

